Connected TV

The Connies results have been announced and here you can read about each shortlisted entry in the international categories. Spanning winter Olympics coverage and a new category of content aggregator to next-generation user experiences and multi-cloud file distribution, there is lots of innovation and best practice on display. See if you agree with the decisions our judges made.

Amazon Channels has been acknowledged for helping to create a new category of content aggregator. Com Hem won for its pioneering work using Android TV Operator Tier to provide a seamless blend of streaming services and broadcast TV. Channel 4 was acclaimed for making life better for viewers and advertising clients. Tech champions include IBM Aspera for enabling file exchange in a hybrid cloud environment and Synamedia for a solution that counters video service password sharing.

Plume is expanding its presence in Europe following recent deals with Tele2 and TalkTalk for an adaptive Wi-Fi solution that improves whole-home wireless performance and brings intelligent features like parental control and, notably, the ability to create individual passwords for visitors. The vendor claims a notable ARPU boost, strong NPS scores and reduced customer service calls for service providers using its SuperPod and PowerPod devices. AI-enabled IoT cybersecurity is another important advance as Wi-Fi connects essential devices as well as enabling our entertainment.

Viacom is “fundamentally investing in pay TV," despite making moves in the subscription video-on-demand and direct-to-consumer markets. Speaking at the Connected TV World Summit, Viacom exec Dan Fahy outlined the criteria for going D2C and stressed that the company is not trying to compete with Netflix via news services like MTV Play.

The BBC has announced plans to stream FA Cup football in Ultra High Definition and High Dynamic Range, marking the UK broadcaster’s latest test using these technologies. The footage will be available via the iPlayer and the trial will be capped of “tens of thousands of people” watching live at a time, due to the high bandwidth required.

Deutsche Telekom has pledged to further invest in its Megathek on-demand library as it continues to build up its collection of exclusive content and originals. Speaking at the Connected TV World Summit in London, Joerg Richartz, outlined his strategy for the platform, which is an integral part of Deutsche Telekom's recently relaunched and rebranded MagentaTV offering.

The importance of curation and scheduling and the benefits of partnering with niche verticals were highlighted by Channel 4’s Richard Davidson-Houston at the Connected TV World Summit yesterday. The head of Channel 4’s All 4 service set out a range of thoughts and opinions spanning innovation, brand building, YouTube and virtual reality.

Apple launched its much-anticipated Apple TV+ streaming service at a star-studded event at its Californian headquarters this week. The US tech giant confirmed that its video subscription service will feature a new slate of programming and will appear in a new Apple TV app alongside channels from partners like HBO, Showtime and Starz. The app will notably roll out on a range of non-Apple smart TVs and streaming devices, while the streaming service will debut in the autumn.

This year’s Connected TV World Summit provides thought leadership on a selection of pressing questions. How do you live with FAANG, cooperating and competing against them? What is the direct-to-consumer opportunity and what are the disruptive implications of this mega-trend? How can incumbent Pay TV operators become hero brands in their own market, and how do we grow advertising revenues?

The Vewd app store contains 1,000 content providers and has a huge footprint across retail devices, helped by a presence on Smart TVs manufactured by Vestel, among others. Vewd OS delivers a video-centric UI that makes it easy to traverse broadcast and online. At IBC in September, this ecosystem will be presented as a solution for operator set-top boxes including gateway clients and pure-play streaming devices.

Videonet is a leading source of strategic insight, analysis and news about post-convergence television. We explore the challenges and opportunities for the TV industry as it introduces more on-demand content and evolves towards multi-screen delivery, companion experiences and a hybrid broadcast/IP connected TV universe